10 Essential Gear Items for Open Water Swimmers

Introduction

Open water swimming presents unique challenges compared to pool swimming, requiring specific gear to ensure safety, comfort, and performance. From wetsuits to safety devices, having the right equipment can make all the difference in your swim experience. Here’s a list of the 10 essential gear items every open water swimmer needs.

1. Wetsuit

  • Why It’s Essential: A wetsuit provides insulation in cold water, helps with buoyancy, and reduces drag, allowing you to swim longer and more efficiently.
  • Key Features:
    • Opt for a snug-fitting wetsuit designed for open water swimming.
    • Look for neoprene material with varying thicknesses for flexibility in the arms and legs while maintaining core warmth.
  • Tip: Make sure to try on a wetsuit before buying to ensure it fits comfortably and doesn’t restrict movement.

2. Swim Goggles

  • Why It’s Essential: Goggles are crucial for visibility in open water, protecting your eyes from saltwater, glare, and debris.
  • Key Features:
    • Choose polarized or mirrored lenses to reduce glare from the sun, especially for swims in bright conditions.
    • Ensure the goggles provide a wide field of vision for better navigation in the water.
  • Tip: Test your goggles in the pool before your open water swim to ensure they’re comfortable and leak-proof.

3. Swim Cap

  • Why It’s Essential: A brightly colored swim cap improves visibility, making it easier for other swimmers, boats, and lifeguards to spot you.
  • Key Features:
    • Opt for silicone or neoprene caps for warmth in colder water.
    • Choose a high-visibility color, such as neon yellow or orange, for safety.
  • Tip: For extra warmth, wear a neoprene cap under your standard swim cap.

4. Safety Buoy

  • Why It’s Essential: A swim buoy provides buoyancy, making it easier to rest if needed, and increases your visibility in the water.
  • Key Features:
    • Choose a lightweight, inflatable buoy that attaches to your waist with a strap and floats behind you as you swim.
    • Some buoys come with waterproof compartments for storing valuables like keys or phones.
  • Tip: Use the buoy as a safety device, especially if you’re swimming solo or in less familiar waters.

5. Waterproof GPS Watch

  • Why It’s Essential: A GPS watch tracks your distance, pace, and heart rate, providing valuable data to help you monitor and improve your performance.
  • Key Features:
    • Look for a watch with open water swimming modes, accurate GPS tracking, and long battery life.
    • Many models also offer heart rate monitoring and stroke analysis.
  • Tip: Sync your GPS watch with an app for detailed swim analytics and to share data with your coach.

6. Anti-Chafing Balm

  • Why It’s Essential: Long swims in open water can cause chafing, especially around the neck, shoulders, and underarms where the wetsuit rubs against the skin.
  • Key Features:
    • Apply a water-resistant, hypoallergenic anti-chafing balm to areas prone to irritation.
    • Use it generously around your wetsuit edges and other high-friction areas.
  • Tip: Test the balm during practice swims to ensure it works well with your skin and wetsuit.

7. Neoprene Booties and Gloves

  • Why It’s Essential: Neoprene accessories help keep your extremities warm in colder waters, preventing numbness and improving comfort during longer swims.
  • Key Features:
    • Choose booties and gloves made of flexible neoprene to maintain dexterity while keeping warm.
    • Look for snug-fitting items that won’t add drag or impede your stroke.
  • Tip: Booties and gloves are particularly useful for colder water temperatures (below 60°F/15°C).

8. Hydration Pack or Bottle

  • Why It’s Essential: Staying hydrated during long swims is critical, even if you’re surrounded by water. A hydration pack or bottle helps maintain your energy levels and prevent dehydration.
  • Key Features:
    • Use a hydration pack designed for swimmers that attaches to your swim buoy or waist belt.
    • Ensure it’s lightweight and easy to access while swimming.
  • Tip: Hydrate before, during, and after your swim, especially in warmer weather or during long-distance swims.

9. Earplugs

  • Why It’s Essential: Earplugs help protect your ears from cold water and prevent swimmer’s ear, an infection caused by trapped moisture.
  • Key Features:
    • Opt for waterproof, comfortable earplugs designed specifically for swimming.
    • Ensure they form a tight seal without blocking out too much sound.
  • Tip: Regular use of earplugs can reduce the risk of ear infections, especially in colder or murky waters.

10. Towel and Changing Robe

  • Why It’s Essential: After your swim, it’s essential to warm up quickly, especially in cooler conditions. A changing robe provides warmth and privacy while you dry off and change out of your wetsuit.
  • Key Features:
    • Look for an absorbent, quick-drying towel and a roomy changing robe with a hood for extra warmth.
    • Robes made of microfiber or fleece are ideal for insulating your body while drying off.
  • Tip: Pack your towel and robe in a waterproof bag to keep them dry until you’re ready to use them.

Conclusion

Having the right gear is essential for ensuring both safety and comfort in open water swimming. Whether it’s a wetsuit to keep you warm, a swim buoy for visibility, or goggles to improve sighting, investing in high-quality gear can greatly enhance your performance and enjoyment in open water. Make sure to test your equipment in training sessions to ensure everything works well together before you head out into the open water.

FAQs Section

  1. Do I really need a wetsuit for open water swimming?
    • Yes, especially in colder water, a wetsuit provides warmth, buoyancy, and reduces drag, helping you swim longer and more efficiently.
  2. How do I choose the right goggles for open water?
    • Look for polarized or mirrored lenses to reduce glare, and opt for goggles with a wide field of vision to improve visibility.
  3. Is a swim buoy necessary for open water swims?
    • While not mandatory, a swim buoy adds safety by making you more visible and providing flotation if you need a break during your swim.
  4. Why should I use a GPS watch in open water?
    • A GPS watch tracks your distance, pace, and route, helping you monitor performance and set goals during your open water training.
  5. What’s the best way to prevent chafing during long swims?
    • Apply anti-chafing balm to areas where your wetsuit may rub, like the neck and underarms, to prevent irritation and discomfort.
Slava Fattakhov

Slava Fattakhov

Former Professional Swimmer / Professional Swimming Coach

I enjoy every opportunity I get to coach, whether it is a national level university swimming team or a kid who just started exploring one of the greatest sports - swimming.

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